Curbing for Landscaping

Make a basic sketch of your existing landscape, complete with trees, slopes and walkways. Identify the places where you plan to add curbing. Draw a circle around a flower patch and then a square to visualize which shapes you prefer for your borders.

Choose a small plant bed for your first curbing installation. Save the front walkway and highly visible areas for later projects, once you're comfortable with the process.

Use landscaping paint, flour or a hose to outline the curbing border on the ground. The border outline should be 6 inches wider than the desired width of the curb. The additional 6 inches is for the wood forms used to shape the curbing while the concrete hardens.

Use a hoe to remove grass from the area inside of the outline. Dig a trench 6 inches deep. Compact the dirt at the bottom of the trench to create a sturdy surface.

Screw landscape timbers together until you reach the desired height of your curb. Consider using recycled plastic bender board if you want the walls of your curb to be rounded.

Stake the form inside the trench with rebar or wood stakes. Have a friend hold the form in place while you stake it every few feet.

Mix concrete in a wheelbarrow, adding the exact amount of water indicated on the manufacturer's instructions. Add pigment to the concrete if you want the curbing to have color.

Pour concrete into the form and use a trowel to smooth over the surface. Use a curbed trowel to round the edges of the curb.

Add ornamental stamping, coins or leaves to the concrete five to 10 minutes after pouring the concrete. Excess water will rise to the surface to evaporate, while the concrete will take two full days to dry.

Remove forms and plastic bender boards once the concrete is completely dry.